Key facts
- PixVerse, an AI video startup backed by Alibaba, has secured the rights to integrate 'Captain Tsubasa' characters.
- The partnership allows fans to create AI-generated videos featuring the iconic soccer manga and anime series.
- The integration coincides with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The 'Captain Tsubasa' franchise has sold over 90 million copies globally and is influential among professional soccer players.
- PixVerse is a top-ranked AI video generation platform with over 100 million users and unicorn status.
PixVerse, an artificial intelligence startup backed by Alibaba, has announced a collaboration with TSUBASA Co. to integrate the intellectual property of the popular Japanese soccer manga and anime series "Captain Tsubasa" into its video generation platform. This move allows fans worldwide to create AI-generated videos featuring characters from the franchise, coinciding with the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The "Captain Tsubasa" series, created by Yoichi Takahashi, began serialization in 1981 and has achieved global recognition, selling over 90 million copies and being translated into more than 20 languages. Its influence extends to professional soccer, with numerous players, including Fernando Torres, Lukas Podolski, Alessandro Del Piero, Andrés Iniesta, and Hidetoshi Nakata, citing it as a significant inspiration for their careers.
This initiative is part of a proof-of-concept (PoC) for an "IP/AI Co-Creation Infrastructure" launched by KAGAMIAI Holdings Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of NEXYZ.Group. PixVerse, recognized as a top-tier video generation AI platform ranked No. 2 globally by Artificial Analysis, operates in over 177 countries with more than 100 million registered users. The company recently achieved unicorn status after securing $300 million in a Series C funding round in March 2026, highlighting its technological advancements and growth potential.
The integration enables users to leverage PixVerse's AI functions to create original content within the "Captain Tsubasa" universe. The series also boasts significant social media presence, with related content exceeding 3.1 billion views on TikTok and hashtags like #TsubasaOzora surpassing 1 billion views.